2002 Track and Field

womens onu recap

Women's track team runs well at Ohio Northern

The final score of the meet couldn't over-shadow a fantastic night of competition
for the Bluffton College women's track team this past Friday, Feb. 22 at a Friday
Night Series Meet at Ohio Northern University. The Beavers found themselves gaining
new personal-bests and breaking records.

"What a fantastic night for these women," said Coach Stanley afterwards. "There seems
to be a bug of some sort floating around campus and making everyone sick, but these
women really can out here to compete tonight. They did an excellent job!"

The night was topped off with sophomore Rachel Noirot competing in the women's pole
vault. After running her 1000m race, Rachel stepped onto the runway for her first
vault, and by the time she stepped off the mat after her final attempt, she had a
new PR and a new school record in the event. She only missed scoring by one place
yet cleared 7-00.75, the highest vault by any women in BC history.

Another great performance was turned in by senior Katie Gwirtz who PR'd by over a
full minute in her 5000m run finishing in 20:46.90. In the same race sophomore Rachael
Szydlowski posted her fastest time of the year coming off of a week of sickness finishing
in 21:28.94. Also, the women's 4x400m relay team posted their best time of the year.
Amanda Habegger, Jana Hammer, Jennifer Neidermier, and MaryAnna Morgan ran together
to finish with a 4:36.47.

Also showing strong performances for the women's team were:

Jana Hammer: 7.99, 55m dash - 46.93, 300m dash

Amanda Habegger: 9.86, 55m hurdles - 46.07, 300m dash

Laurel Miller: 4' 09.75", high jump

MaryAnna Morgan: 1:30.63, 500m dash

Jennifer Neidermier: 2:48.08, 800m run

Katie Gwirtz: 2:48.42, 800m run

Rachel Noirot: 3:45.13, 1000m run

Rachael Szydlowski: 3:50.43, 1000m run

Michelle Bailey: 31' 10", shot put

Laura Anderson: 31' 04.75", shot put

The women's team travels to Florida State and Florida A&M for spring break on March
1&2 and March 8&9, respectively.